2004 – Steve Austin & WWE parted ways, when they are unable to come to terms on a new contract

2006 – Chris Jericho announced that he will be writing a book about his life and career, “A Lion’s Tale.”

2009 – WWE Superstars debuts on WGN America

2009 – TNA began teasing the signing of a former World champion, which was Mickie James

2010 – For the 1st time ever, WWE had to completely change their creative plans to due to weather conditions. All flights out of the UK were grounded due to the lingering Icelandic volcanic ash, preventing the company from getting all of their wrestlers back to the US for a scheduled Raw in East Rutherford, NJ. In the end, the Smackdown roster ended up working the show, while Raw talents appeared via satellite on the Titantrons

Events

In 1994, the 1st Super J Cup, a multi-promotional junior heavyweight tournament was held at Sumo Hal, in Tokyo, Japan(The Great Sasuke & Wild Pegasus (Chris Benoit) were given byes into the 2nd round):

Today, in 2003, the wrestling world lost 6-time NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion Ray Mendoza at the age of 73. Mendoza began his sporting career in boxing, turning pro in 1950. His boxing career came to an end two years later after he was legitimately attacked during a sparring session with two wrestlers, one of whom injured his back with a knee drop. He had a brief stint as a health inspector in Mexico City, but was soon recommended for a career in wrestling by his local gym owner. Following a year of intense training, Mendoza debuted in 1954, initially competing as Chato Diaz. In 1955, he took the ring name ‘Ray Mendoza’, devised from his trainer’s first name and his wife’s maiden name. He soon became one of EMLL’s top heels & used his main event position to better the wrestlers’ pay and working conditions. Despite this status, it took him until 1959 to win his 1st championship, defeating Dory Dixon to win the NWA Light Heavyweight Title. In the 1960′s, he was so popular that certain sources cite that he sold out every arena he competed in across a 3-year period. During this time, he would also make regular appearances in America, winning championships in NWA Hollywood. In 1974, dissatisfied with EMLL’s treatment of his sons, Mendoza joined up with Francisco Flores to form Lucha Libre Internacional (known internationally as the UWA). He became the first UWA Light Heavyweight Champion, but this was an attempt to elevate the careers of those who went on to defeat him, including El Solitario & Gran Hamada. By the end of the decade, Mendoza was all-but-retired, only competing on very sporadic occasions. His final headline match came in 1978, when he unsuccessfully challenged for Tatsumi Fujinami’s WWWF Junior Heavyweight Title. He formally announced his retirement in 1982, & following a retirement tour, hung up his boots early the next year. He became the head trainer at the UWA’s school, as well as occasionally performing refereeing duties and later became the head of the Mexico City Boxing and Wrestling Committee. By the 2000′s, his health was in decline and he eventually passed of kidney failure. CMLL paid tribute to him in 2010 at their Homenaje a Dos Leyendas event. As if Mendoza’s in-ring legacy wasn’t enough, he also fathered the Villano brothers, who would find international success in the 1990′s & 2000′s.